The information below is based on updates published by the Swedish Migration Agency (migrationsverket.se) and reflects the current scope of the Digital Passport Check service.
The Swedish Migration Agency has introduced a digital passport verification process called Digital Passport Check. The service allows certain applicants for Swedish residence and work permits to complete the required passport verification online instead of visiting an embassy or consulate in person.
What Digital Passport Check Enables
The service allows eligible applicants to verify a biometric passport digitally using a mobile device, confirm identity through the Freja eID app, and submit passport data securely without a physical appointment.
To use the service, applicants must apply through the Swedish Migration Agency’s e-service, hold an e-passport, and belong to one of the countries or territories whose passports can be checked in the digital service. Eligible applicants receive a personal email with a time-limited link to the Digital Passport Check e-service.
Why It Matters
Digital Passport Check reduces the need for in-person verification, which can be time-consuming and costly for applicants who live far from a Swedish embassy, consulate, or service centre. The service also lowers administrative pressure on the Swedish Migration Agency and helps shorten parts of the process for work and study permit applications.
In the first months after launch, several thousand applicants used the digital option. According to the Swedish Migration Agency, the reduction in travel corresponds to several million kilometres saved, equal to many laps around the world.
Current Scope and Further Development
The digital passport check was initially introduced as a pilot for visa-exempt persons from a limited number of countries and territories applying for residence permits to work or study in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Agency has stated that the service will be further developed so that more groups can access it and the user experience can be improved.
The long-term ambition is to integrate passport verification more closely with the agency’s existing e-services for residence permit applications, with the aim of strengthening both service levels and security.
Impact on International Assignments
Digital Passport Check supports a more efficient workflow for non-local workers and students relocating to Sweden. By reducing the need for physical passport appointments, the service can help minimise delays linked to travel and booking capacity.
As digital case handling continues to expand within the Swedish Migration Agency, the passport verification step becomes more aligned with the broader digital application process already in place for documentation and communication.
